Replacement of committee representatives discussed

July 5, 2014

Staff report

Whether or not the Economic Development Ad Hoc Review Committee is in need of two representatives to replace two who can no longer serve was discussed during a regular city commission meeting Thursday at the Clovis-Carver library’s north annex.

On Saturday, Commissioner Chris Bryant said that Commissioner Sandra Taylor-Sawyer, who also serves as the ad hoc committee’s chairwoman, had sent an email to all commissioners requesting suggestions of residents who could serve on the ad hoc committee.

Specifically, two representatives — one from District 1 and one from District 4 — are needed.

The ad hoc committee’s former District 1 representative, Katie Haynes, said she could no longer serve due to personal reasons, Taylor-Sawyer said. The committee’s District 4 representative was Tom Martin, who can no longer serve in that capacity as he is now a city commissioner.

It would be up to commissioners from District 1 and 4 to suggest residents from their respective districts to fill those positions.

During the meeting, the commission consulted with City Attorney David Richards, who said there was no need for the ad hoc committee to fill the vacant representative positions. Commissioner Robert Sandoval suggested the committee move forward as it is.

“I would ask the commission to allow us to go ahead with our ad hoc meetings,” Sandoval said. “If someone wants to join us … that would be great.”

The commission determined it would not suggest two representatives; however, should a resident from District 1 or 4 want to join the committee, he or she may do so.

Bryant, who is a District 4 commissioner along with Martin, said he’d be willing to work with Martin to find a representative to serve on the committee should Taylor-Sawyer decide the position must be filled.

The ad hoc committee was created to suggest changes following the city’s financial fiasco with Beauty Health and Science Innovations, the failed business venture that cost the city at least $2 million.

The ad hoc committee had been meeting to review and eventually recommend an ordinance to establish an economic development plan, establish a board to handle economic development and create a policies and procedures manual.

Mayor David Lansford suggested Richards help the city create an ordinance similar to one that has been adopted by the city of Albuquerque concerning adult entertainment businesses.

Lansford said his desire to do this stems from a letter received from Clovis resident Sheri Carpenter, in which she asks the commission to review Albuquerque’s ordinance.

“We do have an existing adult entertainment business ordinance,” said Taylor-Sawyer, who added that she had put in a similar request to the one Lansford made.

Richards noted that the city’s existing ordinance was created in 1996, and that it “met the legal standards at that time.”

The ordinance has not been reviewed since, Richards said, because no one has made a serious attempt to bring an adult entertainment business to the area until recently.

“What Albuquerque may have done is at least worth looking at,” Richards said.

The consent agenda was approved unanimously. All commissioners were present. Items on the consent agenda were:

• Request for approval of a second amendment to a deed of trust, assignment of leases and rents, security agreement, fixture filing and financing statement for Southwest Cheese Company;

• Request for approval to withdraw Commissioner Fidel Madrid’s application to run for the New Mexico Municipal League Board of Directors in August;

• Request of approval for a street closure on 21st Street from Main to Mitchell streets for “National Night Out,” from 4 p.m.-10 p.m. on Aug. 5.